James Self

Tuba,

Principal

Jim Self is a Los Angeles freelance musician and holds principal tuba positions with Pacific Symphony, Pasadena Symphony, and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, as well as principal tuba/cimbasso in the Los Angeles Opera Orchestra. Since 1974, he has performed on the scores of over 1500 motion pictures, TV shows and records - most notably as the Voice of the Mothership in "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." Several other solos can be heard in several others of John Williamses soundtracks, James Horner's "Casper" and Marc Shaiman's "Sleepless in Seattle." Most notable among the artists with whom he has recorded are Mel Torme, Randy Newman, Bette Midler, Barbara Streisand, and Frank Sinatra. Self was three times voted MVP for Tuba by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) and was named Emeritus winner in l987. Since l983, he has produced 10 albums of music ranging from jazz to classical to Americana. Along with his recordings, Self is a published composer and arranger, with 35 titles for band, orchestra, chamber ensemble, solo tuba, and trombone. In the 2007-2008 season, Pacific Symphony commissioned him to write a feature work called "Tour de Force;" this 13 minute piece was premiered in April 2008 at the Symphony's home, the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Hall in Orange County. Born in 1943 in Franklin, Pennsylvania, Self holds degrees from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Catholic University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Southern California, where he is currently Adjunct Professor of tuba and chamber music. In March 2003, Self was given a Distinguished Alumni Award by Indiana University of Pennsylvania - a university-wide honor only given to 290 of its more than 100,000 graduates. In addition, in June 2008 Self received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Tuba-Euphonium Association at the Cincinnati Conservatory.